TEENS

StrengthofUs is an online community designed to empower young adults through resource sharing and peer support and to build connections for those navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in the transition-age years. StrengthofUs provides opportunities for you to connect with your peers and offer support, encouragement and advice and share your real world experiences, personal stories, creativity, resources and ultimately, a little bit of your wonderful and unique self. It is a user-generated and user-driven community; so basically it’s whatever you make it. Everything here has been developed and created by and for young adults with you specifically in mind…because we think you’re worth it! We hope every time you visit, you find hope, encouragement, support and most of all, the strength to live your dreams and goals.

Voices4Hope was created by and for teenagers and young adults with mental health challenges as a place where they can talk to each other and gain access to information that will help them live more and independent lives. Voices4Hope offers you: Tips on how to achieve your goals; Resources to help you overcome certain challenges; The change to share your personal story; and The opportunity to join Hot Topic discussions.

CopeCareDeal – A mental health site for teens: Learning Ways to Cope, Taking Care of Yourself, Understanding the Facts.

The Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance hope that this Young Adult Resource Guide will be used by school psychologists, guidance counselors, and librarians; health professionals, who address the mental and physical well-being of young people; legislators and public officials dedicated to connecting youth to needed services; parents, teachers, and religious leaders, who guide youth each day; and, of course, young people, who are seeking the kinds of resources.

The Young Adult Vocational Program (YAVP) is a transitional program that provides daily structure for young adults with psychiatric disabilities. The program’s mission of integrating the individual back into the community is accomplished through daily structured groups and individualized support. Groups have been established to help build pre-vocational, vocational, and educational skills, as well as daily life skills as they relate to work or school.

Sibling Support Group – Discussion-based support group where teen siblings (ages 13-16) of kids with behavioral challenges. For more information or to be put on an email list, please don’t hesitate to email scallahan@andover.edu.

The Connection “Liberation” Group for younger mental health consumer peers meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Room 2A, 43 Gloucester Ave., Gloucester.

Young Adult Peer Support Group Mondays, 6 – 7 pm; Casa Dominicana, 160 Garden St, Lawrence. We are in the age range of 18-30. What kinds of issues do young people encounter in our lives? How can we support each other in recovery and personal growth? Please contact Karen Kieffer at the NERLC (The Northeast Recovery Learning Community) for more info. If you have questions, we can put you in touch with a local peer from the group. Call Karen at 978- 687-4288 x118 or kkieffer@nilp.org

Healthy Minds for Teens: Teenage years can be stressful and challenging. Yet, you may wonder whether a teen is experiencing just the typical “growing pains” or a real mental health problem. While adolescence is a difficult time for many teens, there is a difference between “typical” and “troubled.” Mental health problems in teens are real, painful and, left untreated, can have serious consequences.

Half of Us:through Half of Us, mtvU and The Jed Foundation want to initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of
mental health issues on campus and connect students to the appropriate resources to get help.

Tempo-Young Adult Resource Center, 68 Henry St., Framingham, MA 01702; 508-879-1424. Tempo is a single center, which offers multiple supports for young adults ages 17-24. Tempo works with youth who have mental health conditions, a lack of family connections, risky behavior, and other issues such as substance abuse and homelessness.

Wayside Community LINKS, 68 Henry Street, Framingham, MA 01702; 508-879-1424. Striving to prevent homelessness and other harmful situations foradolescents and to enhance positive youth development through the provision of mobile outreach and community services in the MetroWest and Blackstone Valley areas.

Wayside Day Center, Wayside Campus, 1 Frederick Abbott Way, Framingham, MA 01701, 508-879-9800. Partial hospitalization and day treatment alternatives for adolescents with psychiatric and/or substance abuse service needs. A unique psychiatric day treatment program for adolescents, our intensive approach is designed to prevent hospitalization or to shorten hospital stays. We seek to provide skills for resolution and stabilization when problems become acute, life management and goal setting.

TheTrevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

The Learning & Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research & Training CenterThe Transitions RTC is a national effort that aims to: Improve the supports for youth and young adults, ages 14-30, with serious mental health conditions who are trying to successfully complete their schooling and training and move into rewarding work lives.

The College Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital. Established in 2008, the program’s mission is to help college students with mental illness and adjustment issues live more productive lives by providing the highest level of psychiatric care and working closely with the college student-patient, their families and their institutions of higher education to ensure the greatest probability of academic success.

As the nation’s leading organization working to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide among college students , The Jed Foundation is protecting the mental health of students across the country.

Spill is a nationwide peer support network made OF and FOR college students. You can vent here, confidentially, about whatever is bothering you. Within 24-48 hours, we’ll give you feedback from a handful of trained peers who can relate to your problem.

The Higher Education Support Toolkit, developed by the BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation , provides disability service staff and health care staff with a simple way to work with students who are experiencing challenges arising from their psychiatric disability. The toolkit is available as a free download at the Center’s website.

Safe Place is the first step to help for any youth in crisis or at risk. This community collaboration program, operated by youth shelters or youth serving agencies make it possible for any youth to access help at locations including fast food restaurants, convenience stores, fire stations , libraries and city buses which display the Safe Place sign. Youth can easily find help at Safe Place sites in their own neighborhood whenever they need it. Safe Place connects youth to immediate help and safety and offers supportive services to both youth and their families.

Violence Against People: Domestic Violence Resource LibraryAbuse can take many forms and can affect many different people, no matter their race, sex or socioeconomic status. Sadly, millions of people are repeatedly abused each year, and often, the victims remain hidden and live with the abuse in secret. Education and empowerment are essential to helping prevent domestic and other forms of abuse from occurring. There are many different types of abuse, including physical, non-physical emotional, verbal, and financial/economic abuse.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ mission is to enable high-risk, runaway and homeless youth to achieve a healthy and productive adulthood through prevention, intervention, and education services. Serving youth ages 14 – 24 each year, Bridge offers a comprehensive range of health, educational, career and housing services. Bridge is the only agency in the Boston area to provide a continuum of age-appropriate services.f

Samariteens is a teen help line that provides confidential peer support and understanding to teens who are struggling with feelings of depression, loneliness and stress. From 3 pm to 9 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 9 pm on weekends, this service is staffed by volunteers between the ages of 15 and 18; outside those hours, calls are answered by adult volunteers. Teens call 800-252-8336.

Transition Programs for Students

Here are some great opportunities of available programs for students that will assist with self-advocacy skills, independent living skills, and making healthy choices

B-SET (Boston Special Education Transition Project)
For Career, College & Community Living
An advocacy resources to Boston families and transition-age youth, 14 – 22, who have disabilities
These resources will help to ensure that the school district meets federal and state special education requirements and provides high quality transition program for its youth with disabilities.
Provides community workshops, free technical assistance, legal advice and referral, free legal advocacy and administrative advocacy
(617) 357-8431 x 234 for information / workshops
(617) 357-8431 x 224 for help with your childwww.massadvocates.org/B-SET.phpBoston Special Education Transition Project Brochure

MRC Turning 22 (T22) Independent Program
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s Community Living Services ‘ Turnning 22 Independent Living Program provides transition services for young people who have a severe physical disability with a mobility impairment, and would like to live independently after high school graduation or turning 22. The program utilizes the independent living philosophy in which consumers are empowered to make their own decisions about their lives, based on informed choice. The T22 Independent Living Program provides funding for three major components: Supported Living (case coordination), the Transition to Adulthood Program and Ancillary Supports.

MRC staff also work with special education departments to coordinate services for students who will be graduating and needing supported living services. Students can choose the supported living provider with whom they wish to work and should begin meeting with them during the last 6 months he/she is in school. The case coordinator will help with such things as finding accessible housing and hiring appropriate Personal Care Assistants (PCAs).

Transitioning to Adult Program (TAP)
The TAP program, funded by Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is offered through six independent living centers and provides peer mentoring, independent living skills and self-advocacy services to special education students (ages 14 – 22) regardless of type of disability. If a student is interested in receiving independent living skills training through the TAP while in school, contact MaryEllen MacRae, T22 Services Coordinator at (617)204-3618 (voice) or (617)204-3815 (TTY) who will make the referral to the appropriate Independent Living Center.

Easter Seals of Massachusetts Youth Transition Services
High school students with disabilities, their families and educators are given tools to help achieve their vision. Assistive technology, rehabilitation therapy, vocational evaluation, career skills development, job placement, on-the-job training, Independent lviing-skills, social and recreational opportunities are just a few of offerings. For more information, contact youthtransition@eastersealsma.org , call 508-751-6390

Partners for Youth with Disabilities – Making Healthy Connections (MHC)MHC program is a series of interactive discussions and recreational activities designed to help adolescents and young adults, ages 14 – 22, with disabilities and special health care needs prepare for adult life by understanding their health care needs, effectively use community resources to transition to adult health services, and sustain a healthy lifestyle. For additional information contact Susan Nicastro, snicastro@pyd.org, at (413)584-0455 x13(Springfield Making Healthy Connections) or Deep Chinappa, dchinappa@pyd.org, at (617)586-4075 x20 (Boston Making Healthy Connections)